Swing bed



p 15, 1964 E. A. KAMP 3,148,385

SWING BED Filed Aug. 25, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 J 0%), M %Q M P 1964 E. A. KAMP 3,148,385

SWING BED Filed Aug. 25, 1961 a Sheets-Sheet 2 l nn l wq/whww ll 'IIIIIIIHIIHIHH United States Patent "ice 3,148,385 SWiNG BED Ewald A. Kemp, Chicago, Ill, assignor, by mesne assignments, to ACID Bedding Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 25, 1961, Ser. 1 o. 133,947 4 Claims. (Cl. l8)

This invention relates generally t o convertible bed structures and especially to convertible bed structures that are capable of being horizontally pivoted to establish the dilferent modes of use.

Bed structures that are reversibly convertible to nighttime and daytime modes of usage by a pivoting action are generally known as swing beds. Both single-bed and double-bed types are common, the double-bed units frequently being a coordinated combination of two singlebed units; and the single-bed units which are amenable to such combination have heretofore been arranged for conversion exclusively by pivoting action. Accordingly, when such a unit is used alone, nearly as much floorspace is required as is necessary for the corresponding doublebed ensemble. The utility of these single-bed units outside of the ensemble has, as a result, been markedly restricted.

Therefore, an important object of the present invention is to provide a swing bed that is selectively convertible either by a pivoting action or by a rectilinear movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a swing bed which is convertible by strictly pivoting action or by strictly rectilinear movement.

A more general object of the invention is to provide a new and improved swing bed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a swing bed having a minimal floorspace requirement.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a swing bed incorporating a rigid, stationary frame that is non-obstructing of the occupied floor space.

And a still further object of the invention is to provide a swing bed which is easy to clean beneath.

Additional objects and features of the invention pertain to the particular structure and arrangements whereby the above objects are attained.

A structure in accord with the invention includes a stationary framework having an upright member and a horizontal strut telescopingly extending from the upright member adjacent to and overlying a floor; a movable framework for carrying bed elements; mounting means operative between the horizontal strut and one corner of the movable framework mounting the movable framework for selective swinging and rectilinear movement relative to the stationary framework; and a plurality of roller members cooperating with the mounting means in supporting the movable framework.

The invention, both to its structure and mode of operation, will be better understood by reference to the following disclosure and drawings forming a part thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible corner furniture ensemble incorporating swing bed units constructed in accordance with the invention, one of the bed units being illustrated partially converted for nighttime use by a rectilinear or pulling movement;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, side elevational view of one of the swing beds incorporated in the ensemble of FIG. 1 arranged for selective conversion by either a pivoting or a rectilinear motion;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the arrangement of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of the arrangement of FIG. 2;

3,148,385 Patented Sept. 15, 1964 FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the telescoping strut means and locking elements situated in the pivotal mounting of the movable framework;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view taken through the section 65 of FIG. 2, showing the parts as they appear when the bed unit is prepared for conversion by a pivoting motion;

FIG. 7 is a view taken along line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view taken along the line 88 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 6 but illustrating the parts as they appear when the bed unit is prepared for conversion by a rectilinear motion; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view taken along the line 101ll of FIG. 2, illustrating the mounting of the inner tubular member in the outer tubular member forming a telescoping strut.

In accordance with an important feature of the invention, a swing bed is provided to be selectively convertible either by a pivoting or swinging action or by a rectilinear movement. In FIG. 1, a convertible corner furniture ensemble shown generally by the numeral 240 includes two swing beds so arranged, swing beds 242 and 244. Advantageously, the ensemble 240 also includes a corner table 24-6 filling the space defined by the right angularly arranged swing beds 242 and 244.

In FIG. 1, the swing bed 244 is shown partially con verted to the nighttime mode of usage by a rectilinear movement; and turning to FIGS. 2-10, the swing bed 244 will be seen to comprise a stationary framework 248 and a movable framework 259. With particular reference to the FIGS. 2 and 3, the stationary framework 248 will be seen to include an upright member 252 which is supported on feet 254, the stationary framework 248 further including a horizontally extending tubular strut 256 that is afixed to a lower tubular element 258 of the upright member 252. The upstanding portion of the stationary framework supports a backrest assembly 260 which comprises a furniture structure 262 rigidly fastened to an upper channel element 264 of the framework 248. The backrest 260 also includes a bolster element 266 which is vertically swingably mounted to the structure 262 by means of hinges 268. A portion of the structure 262 and the entire bolster 266 overlie the movable frame work 25 in the daytime mode of usage of the swing bed 244 in accordance with the showing of FIG. 2.

With particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the tubular strut 256 will be seen fashioned in generally rectangular section in order telescopingly to receive a tubular strut 279 of similar outline but lesser dimensions. To facilitate sliding of the strut 270 relative to the strut 255, a number of apertures 272 are fashioned in the corners of strut 279 at an inner portion thereof as is generally indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3. According to the showing of FIG. 10, each of the apertures 272 receives a ball bearings 274, the ball bearings 274 rollably operating in the aperture 272 and rollably engaging the inner corner walls of the strut 256.

The forward exposed end of the extensible strut 270 is mounted on a caster 276, the wheel of the caster 276 rollably engaging a floor surface 278 which underlies the swing bed 244. The caster 276 is mounted to one side of the strut 27b, and a bracket 286 is secured to the opposite side of the forward end of strut 270 by suitable means such as welding. The forward end of bracket 280 is provided with a vertical bore into which a bushing 252 is fitted. Considering FIG. 2, the movable framework 256 includes a lower, side channel element 284 which carries a depending stud 286 at its forward end, the stud 286 being journaled in the bushing 282 for pivotally mounting the movable framework 250 to the stationary framework 248.

The channel element 284 comprises one side of a rectangular frame that supports a boxspring 283 and a mattress 290. An angle element 292 is secured to the element 284 providing a shelf-like support for a headboard assembly 294. The headboard assembly 294 includes a lower, tubular horizontal element 296 which engages the angle element 292, the headboard assembly 294 further including an intermediate horizontal member 298 and vertical elements 309. At suitable locations away from the pivot stud 286, the movable framework 250 is rollably supported on casters 302, the casters 3 32 engaging the floor 278 and being desirably disposed adjacent the rema ning corners of the movable framework 250.

As thus far described, the swing bed 244 is capable of being resituated either by pivoting the movable framework 250 about the stud 286 or by pulling the movable framework 250 directly outwardly from the upright member 252 in a rectilinear motion. In this embodiment, it has proved advantageous to provide means for selectively locking the strut 270 against telescoping into the strut 256 and likewise to provide means locking the movable framework 250 against pivoting relative to the stationary framework 248. Such locking means permit selection of one form of converting the swing bed and preventing the other form of conversion from occurring at any one time.

Turning to FIG. 6, a bracket 334 will be seen welded or otherwise suitably secured to the exterior sidewall of strut 256. A bolt 3%, formed in the shape of an inverted T is oscillatably mounted on a shaft 338 that extends between parallel arms 310 of the bracket 304. The bolt 306 is arranged to enter alignable apertures 312 and 314 formed respectively in the struts 256 and 2'76. When the apertures 312 and 314 are aligned permitting passage of the bolt 306 therein, entrance of the bolt locks the strut 270 relative to the strut 256 and prevents telescoping movement. This, of course, precludes conversion of the swing bed 244 by a rectilinear motion.

The bolt 306 is biased in the direction of apertures 312 and 314 by means of a torsion spring 316 that is wrapped about the shaft 308. Acting to move the bolt 306 from the apertures 312 and 314, an operating rod 318 is slidably fitted in a sleeve 320, the sleeve 320 being secured in the lower'horizontal element 296 of headboard unit 294. The rod 318 incorporates an oifset cam surface 322 which is adapted to cooperate with a follower pin 324, pin 324 being mounted on the bolt 306 extending horizontally therefrom. For purposes of vertically operating the rod 318, a lever arm 326 is pivoted to the element 298 at a point 328, as shown in FIG. 2. The rod 318 is pivotally mounted to the lever arm 326 between the point 328 and a handle element 336 that is secured to the free end of the lever arm.

In order to lock the movable framework 250 against a swinging movement relative to the stationary frame 24-8, interengageable means are provided to be operative between the movable framework and the tubular strut 270. These interengageable means specifically include a vertical pin 332 that is affixed to the rod 318 in ofiset relationship as is particularly well shown in FIG. 7. The pin 332 .is arranged to pass through a vertical channel 334 formed in the horizontal element 296. Additionally, the sleeve 320 is provided with a vertical slot 336 for passing the shank 338 by which the pin 332 is afllxed to rod 318. Angle element 292 is formed with a vertical bore 340 that communicates with the charmel 33 5 for passing the pin 332 into engagement with a vertical bore 342 drilled in an extension 344 of the bracket 280. Since the bracket 230 is secured to the stationary framework 248 and since the angle element 292 is rigid with respect to the movable framework 250, engagement of the pin 332 with the bores 340 and 342 locks the two frameworks against pivotal movement about the stud 286.

Operation of the means for selectively locking the movable framework against swinging movement and against rectilinear movement will become more apparent from the following functional description given with particular reference to FIGS. 6 and 9. In FIG. 6, the rod 318 will be seen retracted from engagement with the follower pin 324. Accordingly, the bias of spring 316 will urge the bolt 3% in the direction of apertures 312 and 314. Assuming that the apertures 312 and 314 are aligned as they would be with the movable framework 250 pushed rearwardly into juxtaposition with the upright portion 252 of stationary framework 248, the bolt 3% will thereby be used into the apertures 312 and 314 and'the strut 27%? will be locked relative to the strut 256. With the parts so arranged, the strut 270 cannot be extended from the strut 256; and the swing bed 244 cannot be converted by a rectilinear motion of the movable framework. In this condition, the pin 332 is withdrawn from engagement with the bores 340 and 342 thereby permitting swinging action of the movable framework relative to the stationary framework for purposes of converting the swing bed to the nighttime mode of usage by such action. The position of arm 326 which is shown in FIG. 2 in solid outline corresponds with this arrangement of the locking element.

Assuming that the swing bed 244. is positioned as shown in FIG. 2, i.e. positioned in the daytime mode of usage, pushing downwardly on the handle 33% urges the rod 318 in a downward direction; and the tip of cam surface 322 will eventually engage the follower pin 324'. Further downward movement of the handle 330 will cause the pin 324 to ride upwardly on the cam surface 322 as the rod 313 is lowered. This movement of the follower pin 324 will cause the bolt 3% to be withdrawn against the bias of spring 316 and generally outwardly of the apertures 314- and 312 as will be seen in FIG. 9.

Simultaneously with coaction between the cam surface 322 and the follower pin 324, the vertical locking pin 332 will be lowered through the channel 334 into engagement with the bore 344 and eventually with the bore 342. With the several parts thus situated, the movable framework 25% cannot be pivoted relative to the stationary framework 248. It can however be moved rectilinearly by pulling the bed outwardly, telescoping extension of the strut 27% out of the strut 256 affording such movement.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown, it should be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since many modifications may be made; and it is, therefore, contemplated to cover by the appended claims any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A convertible bed structure comprising: a stationary framework having an upright member and horizontal strut means, said strut means including a first tubular member fixed to said upright member and a second tubular member telescopingly received in said first tubular member, said first and second tubular members having alignable lateral apertures; a movable framework for carrying bed elements; mounting means operative between said strut means and one corner of said movable framework, including bracket means on said second tubular member defining a pivot; a plurality of antifriction members cooperating with said mounting means in supporting said movable framework; means selectively locking said strut means against telescoping movement including a bolt oscillatably mounted to said first tubular member to coact with said apertures and including bolt-operating means on said movable framework for selectively oscillating said bolt; and interengageable means operative between said movable framework and said second tubular member for locking said movable framework against swinging movement relative to said stationary framework, said interengageable means including a vertical hole in said bracket means spaced from said pivot and including a pin fixed on said bolt-operating means selectively disposable in said hole, said pin being situated in said hole when said bolt-operating means is retracting said bolt from said apertures, whereby to permit selective swinging of said movable framework and selective rectilinear relocation of said movable framework relative to said stationary framework.

2. A convertible bed structure comprising: a stationary framework having an upright member and horizontal strut means extending right angularly from said upright member adjacent to and overlying a floor, said strut 1 as including a first tubular member fixed to said upright member, a second tubular member telescopingly received in said first tubular member and ball bearings partially received in said second tubular member and operative between said tubular members, said tubular members having alignable lateral apertures; a movable framework for carrying bed elements; mounting means operative between said strut means and one corner of said movable framework, including bracket means on said second tubular member defining a pivot; a plurality of antifriction members cooperating with said mounting means in supporting said movable framework; means selectively loo!- ing said strut means against telescoping movement including a bolt oscillatably mounted to said first tubular member to coact with said apertures and including boltoperating means for selectively operating said bolt; and interengageable means operative between said movable framework and said second tubular member for locking said movable framework against swinging movement relative to said stationary framework, said interengageable means including a vertical hole in said bracket means spaced from said pivot and including a pin on said boltoperating means in offset relationship therewith selectively disposable in said hole, said pin being situated in said hole when said bolt-operating means is retracting said bolt from said apertures, whereby to permit selective swinging of said movable framework and selective rectilinear relocation of said movable framework relative to said stationary framework.

3. A convertible bed structure according to claim 1 wherein said means selectively locking said strut means against telescoping movement further includes biasing means acting between said first tubular member and said bolt to urge said bolt generally into coactable relationship with said alignable apertures.

4. A convertible bed structure comprising: a stationary framework having an upright member and horizontal strut means, said strut means including a first tubular member fixed to said upright member and a second tubular member telescopingly received in said first tubular member, said first and second tubular members having alignable lateral apertures; a movable framework for carrying bed elements; mounting means operative between said strut means and one corner of said movable framework, including bracket means on said second tubular member defining a pivot; a plurality of antifriction members cooperating with said mounting means in supporting said movabl framework; means selectively locking said strut means against telescoping movement, including an inverted T-shaped bolt, means pivotally mounting the upper end portion of said bolt to said first tubular member in laterally offset relationship therewith whereby the crossbar portion of said bolt is oscillatable in an arcuate path of movement for coaction with said alignable apertures, a follower element on said crossbar portion, spring means acting between said first tubular member and said bolt to bias said crossbar portion generally toward said apertures, and boltoperating means on said movable framework for selectively oscillating said bolt, including a vertically operable rod, cam means on said rod for operably engaging said follower element, and lever means mounted on said movable framework and connected to said rod for vertically operating said rod; and interengageable means operative between said movable framework and said second tubular member for locking said movable framework against swinging movement relative to said stationary framework, said interengageable means including a vertical hole in said bracket means spaced from said pivot and including a pin fixed on said bolt-operating means selectively disposable in said hole, said pin being situated in said hole when said boltoperating means is retracting said bolt from said apertures, whereby to permit selective swinging or" said movable framework and selective rectilinear relocation of said movable framework relative to said stationary framework.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNTTED STATES PATENTS 755,344 Barrett Mar. 22, 1904 2,014,549 Behm Sept. 17, 1935 2,126,142 Saunders et al. Aug. 9, 1938 2,195,349 Woina Mar. 26, 1940 2,435,060 Thomson Jan. 27, 1948 2,610,099 McNamara Sept. 9, 1952 2,630,581 Ziegenfuss Mar. 10, 1953 2,687,924 Gomersall Aug. 31, 1954 2,783,480 Shankman Mar. 5, 1957 2,909,789 Bailey Oct. 27, 1959 2,932,541 Gulbrandsen Apr. 12, 1960 2,943,333 Blecker et a1 July 5, 1960 2,955,297 Bailey Oct. 11, 1960 2,976,544 Mugler Mar. 28, 1961 2,987,733 Gregory et al. June 13, 1961 2,997,724 Heumann Aug. 29, 1961 3,027,570 Kamp Apr. 3, 1962 3,030,730 Costar Apr. 24, 1962 3,036,401 Stark May 29, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,104,968 France June 22, 1955 

1. A CONVERTIBLE BED STRUCTURE COMPRISING: A STATIONARY FRAMEWORK HAVING AN UPRIGHT MEMBER AND HORIZONTAL STRUT MEANS, SAID STRUT MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST TUBULAR MEMBER FIXED TO SAID UPRIGHT MEMBER AND A SECOND TUBULAR MEMBER TELESCOPINGLY RECEIVED IN SAID FIRST TUBULAR MEMBER, SAID FIRST AND SECOND TUBULAR MEMBERS HAVING ALIGNABLE LATERAL APERTURES; A MOVABLE FRAMEWORK FOR CARRYING BED ELEMENTS; MOUNTING MEANS OPERATIVE BETWEEN SAID STRUT MEANS AND ONE CORNER OF SAID MOVABLE FRAMEWORK, INCLUDING BRACKET MEANS ON SAID SECOND TUBULAR MEMBER DEFINING A PIVOT; A PLURALITY OF ANTIFRICTION MEMBERS COOPERATING WITH SAID MOUNTING MEANS IN SUPPORTING SAID MOVABLE FRAMEWORK; MEANS SELECTIVELY LOCKING SAID STRUT MEANS AGAINST TELESCOPING MOVEMENT INCLUDING A BOLT OSCILLATABLY MOUNTED TO SAID FIRST TUBULAR MEMBER TO COACT WITH SAID APERTURES AND INCLUDING BOLT-OPERATING MEANS ON SAID MOVABLE FRAMEWORK FOR SELECTIVELY OSCILLATING SAID BOLT; AND INTERENGAGEABLE MEANS OPERATIVE BETWEEN SAID MOVABLE FRAMEWORK AND SAID SECOND TUBULAR MEMBER FOR LOCKING SAID MOVABLE FRAMEWORK AGAINST SWINGING MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID STATIONARY FRAMEWORK, SAID INTERENGAGEABLE MEANS INCLUDING A VERTICAL HOLE IN SAID BRACKET MEANS SPACED FROM SAID PIVOT AND INCLUDING A PIN FIXED ON SAID BOLT-OPERATING MEANS SELECTIVELY DISPOSABLE IN SAID HOLE, SAID PIN BEING SITUATED IN SAID HOLE WHEN SAID BOLT-OPERATING MEANS IS RETRACTING SAID BOLT FROM SAID APERTURES, WHEREBY TO PERMIT SELECTIVE SWINGING OF SAID MOVABLE FRAMEWORK AND SELECTIVE RECTILINEAR RELOCATION OF SAID MOVABLE FRAMEWORK RELATIVE TO SAID STATIONARY FRAMEWORK. 